Uk Holiday Visa For Thai Girlfriend

[Scubapete]

I am going to retire to Thailand but before i do i would like my Thai girlfriend to visit London. The waiting list is around 20 weeks for a Thia national to get a holiday/vacation visa to the Uk. Does anyone know if this can be reduced in any way ?

Any help much appreciated!

Slainte,

Pete

[GU22]

The wait is for an interview, if you don't need an interview then you wont have to wait.

If all the supporting evidence is submitted with the application and if that evidence is sufficient to satisfy the ECO so that s/he is "minded to grant" the visa, then only a short interview is required. This is usually within a week of submitting the application, and for visit visas is often the same day!

Have a good read through the following:-

Guidance - General information (INF 1)

Guidance - Visitors (INF 2)

Guidance - Sponsors (INF 3)

Then feel free to ask questions on any points you're not sure about.

Last year my stepson applied for a vv. He presented an application and thorough evidence folder and was told to take a seat. A short while later he was called to the counter and asked a couple of questions. They then said "Fine, come back tomorrow to collect your passport and visa."

[Ollie]

I'm in a similar position to scubapete and I'd appreciate a bit more help.

I'm in the UK and the fiancee is in Thailand - I've printed off the application form - should I complete this and the G/F just sign it, or is it best for her to complete it? I will be sending her supporting docs as a sponsor including a letter stating what I will do as a sponsor and copies of my land reg. what I do for a living, income and details of other committments (none).

Is there anything else I should add?

Is it best for her to attend the embassy or post it in - if the latter, should she include her passport?

Many thanks

[the scouser]

Ollie,

You can fill in the form and send it to your fiancée to sign. You should, however, explain to her what you write as the visa officer may well question her on the form's contents.

Your fiancée can make the application either in person or by post. If by post, I wouldn't send the passport. Just take it to the embassy when they request it.

Scouse.

[MakTB]

Ollie,

You can fill in the form and send it to your fiancée to sign. You should, however, explain to her what you write as the visa officer may well question her on the form's contents.

Your fiancée can make the application either in person or by post. If by post, I wouldn't send the passport. Just take it to the embassy when they request it.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ollie, to follow on from what Scouse says, you could fill in one form and supply your GF with a blank copy as well, so she can fill in the form herself using your words, grammer etc. But like Scouse said, make sure she understands each answer.

All the best

[GU22]

Ollie, to follow on from what Scouse says, you could fill in one form and supply your GF with a blank copy as well, so she can fill in the form herself using your words, grammer etc.

IMHO, not a good idea, unless your g/f speaks and writes perfect English!

Ollie, fill the form in and send it to her with your evidence. As Scouse says, she can then sign it, add her evidence and present it to the embassy.

It is not unusual for applicants to be asked if they completed the form themselves. It is perfectly reasonable to reply "No, my boyfriend did because I cannot read or write English."

Pretending that she filled the form in when her English is obviously not up to it will only give the ECO cause to doubt the veracity of the application.

[Ollie]

Many thanks for this advice, she actually speaks and can write reasonable English - but not to the level that she could pretend to have completed the form! I just wasn't sure what the Embassy expected and the last thing I would want to do was act in a dishonest way.

Which brings me to another point and slightly off thread - but I've read many times that you have to demonstrate good cause that she will return and the various suggestions that would satisfy this test - but am I being naive in thinking that the embassy will have heard all the stories and treat them with some caution - or is the advice correct? Why if someone owns land or has a respectbale job is that any more of a way of demonstrating that they will return than if they don't?

I'm kind of hoping that what I do for a living in the UK and what I stand to lose if this isn't complied with will be one of the biggest factors in demonstrating that she will go back as required. I'm really not expecting her to disappear - if I thought there was any chance of that I wouldn't be with her.

[mrbojangles]

but am I being naive in thinking that the embassy will have heard all the stories and treat them with some caution - or is the advice correct?

I'm kind of hoping that what I do for a living in the UK and what I stand to lose if this isn't complied with will be one of the biggest factors in demonstrating that she will go back as required.

hi Ollie, I'm no ECO but i would presume not only have they heard the "Stories" but have been specially Trained to identify "Stories". That is why it is recommended that she tell the "Truth" and not "Stories". But in telling the truth, the ECO has to be satisfied that your GF has reason to return. I.E if she has 10baht in the Bank and nothing else...not much chance. Whereas, if it was someone with property, land, children, money in the Bank, a business and a car for instance.The odds would be for her to return.

As for your second point, i don't understand when you say "what I stand to lose if this isn't complied". Can you be more specific as to why you say this?

[the scouser]

Ollie,

Sorry, I assumed when you mentioned your fiancée that she was coming to the UK to settle. It would now appear that she wishes to visit.

There is no, one thing, that gives a visit visa applicant a good reason to leave the UK at the end of their stay. The visa officer will look at the applicant's circumstances in their totality. However, certainly, having a job to which one must return is a positive point. You can also include a sentence in your sponsorship letter that because of the nature of your job, you will ensure that your fiancée returns to Thailand at the end of her holiday, as you don't wish to jeopardise your employment. However, the visa officer may see this as self-serving because, in reality, should your fiancée not return, there is unlikely to be any sanction placed upon you.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[Ollie]

Many thanks again for all the help.

The visit is for the reason as stated by the original poster as I am looking to relocate to LOS sometime soonish. I thought it would be good for her to see my home, friends and family and see some of the UK before I make the move the other way.

The job issue is to do with could happen to my employment should she go AWOL and my being the sponsor - which I know won't happen, seriously - I think any enquiries made by IND that come to the attention of my employer would be viewed very negatively.

[GU22]

Unfortunately, it's not your intentions that the ECO will be concerned with, but hers. The fact that you may have problems if she overstays will not sway the ECO if s/he has doubts as to her intentions.

[Ollie]

Unfortunately, it's not your intentions that the ECO will be concerned with, but hers. The fact that you may have problems if she overstays will not sway the ECO if s/he has doubts as to her intentions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many thanks for all the help - I think the above message has got through loud and clear! Lets hope it goes okay.

[Ollie]

I hope its okay to ask another question about the visa application?

They ask for flight details, but not being rich, I would want to wait to know if the visa is going to be granted first - is this a problem?

It seems odd that this information should be needed if they are going to refuse the visa at cost to the sponsor?

Thanks.

[the scouser]

Hi Ollie,

Don't worry about the flight details. The visa officer won't expect you to buy a ticket until the visa is issued.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[GU22]

In fact, the embassy strongly recommend that you do not make any firm tracel arrangements until the visa has been issued.

Flight details? The only place on form VAF1 where these are asked for is section 8, which you only need to complete if you are travelling to the UK in transit to another country.

[Ollie]

In fact, the embassy strongly recommend that you do not make any firm tracel arrangements until the visa has been issued.

Flight details? The only place on form VAF1 where these are asked for is section 8, which you only need to complete if  you are travelling to the UK in transit to another country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, I didn't have the form with me at the time I posted the question, it was prompted by another thread on this forum. What it does ask is for date of arrival in the UK - so is it acceptable to this leave this blank pending a decison about the visa, or can you put a guesstimate in?

Have you and the Scouser thought about going into business?

[mrbojangles]

Scouser thought about going into business? 

[stendhal]

Could anyone advise on the pragmatics of actually submitting the application for a visitor's visa (non settlement) for the GF.

I've prepared the form and supporting documents, and wonder what's the best way to submit the application.

Is it a matter of standing in that enormous queue along Wireless Road? Do we both have to go the first time or can we wait for an interview? Or can I send it by post, in which case should I send the Thai passport along?

I've searched for answers on this forum and the embassy website, and also went an email but couldn't find an exact answer

TIA

[the scouser]

If the application is submitted by hand, then either you or your g/f or a 3rd party can actually deliver it, just as long as your g/f has actually signed the form and all the bits and pieces are in the bundle. If she has previously been to the UK you may also be able to use the embassy drop box facility.

If you submit the application by post, technically your g/f's passport should be included. Personally, though, I don't like entrusting my passport to the postal system (Thai or British), but the choice is yours. I believe that if you include a pre-paid EMS envelope, the embassy will return the passport, hopefully with a visa inside. Also, don't forget to include the fee. The embassy website indicates that they accept either a postal order or a cashier's cheque.

Scouse.